Faith Forward: Fr. Peter Wojcik on Strategies for Engaging Millennials, Gen Z, & Gen Alpha in the Church
Aug 17, 2023
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Fr. Peter Wojcik, pastor at Saint Clement Parish in Chicago, shares strategies for engaging Gen Z in the church. Recognize Gen Z's longing for spirituality, community, and contribution. Prioritize their preferences and create openings for their involvement. Discusses 'chosen' program for discipleship and community service efforts.
Recognize that Gen Z is open to church engagement, but their parents never brought them, so focus on listening to them, providing opportunities to serve, and inviting them to belong before finding Jesus.
To engage younger generations, prioritize community and belonging, align your ministries with their preferences, and continue learning about younger generations to create compelling and inclusive spaces.
Deep dives
Creating a Community of Belonging
Father Wojczyk discusses how their parish, St. Clement, focuses on creating a community where everyone is welcome. They prioritize inclusivity and empowerment, allowing everyone, regardless of their background, to come to Jesus and be a leader. The community emphasizes the importance of belonging and offers various programs to engage different generations, especially millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. They recognize that young people are longing for spirituality and connection, and they invite them to belong before they believe. Their approach includes hosting events like Theology on Tap, where young adults can connect and have meaningful conversations about purpose and identity.
Understanding and Engaging Different Generations
Father Wojczyk highlights the importance of recognizing the distinct characteristics of different generational groups, such as millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. He mentions that millennials often see themselves as post-Christian and may be skeptical of organized religion. On the other hand, Gen Z is seen as a pre-Christian generation, longing for spirituality and community. To engage these younger generations, St. Clement offers entry points like the Alpha course, which focuses on belonging, and uses tools like the chosen series to facilitate discipleship. By understanding the needs and desires of each generation, they aim to create compelling and inviting spaces for young people to explore faith and encounter Jesus.
Building an Outward-Focused Church
St. Clement emphasizes the importance of being an outward-focused church. They believe that their role extends beyond just proclaiming Jesus Christ, but also caring for those in need and exercising generosity. They actively engage in community service, partnering with shelters and organizations to provide support to the homeless and refugee communities. By serving others, they aim to demonstrate God's love and connect with people in practical ways. St. Clement believes that true discipleship involves not only worshipping Jesus, but also actively serving and creating an impact in the world.
Utilizing Entry Points and Small Groups
St. Clement utilizes entry points and small groups to engage and retain individuals in their community. They offer programs like Alpha, gender-based ministries, and service opportunities as entry points for people to connect and belong. After these initial experiences, they provide options for further growth and discipleship, such as Bible courses, discipleship-focused sessions using the chosen series, and teachings on Catholic principles. They encourage small groups formed during Alpha to stay together and continue their journey together, fostering a sense of community and support.
Welcome back to the unSeminary podcast. Today we are joined by Father Peter Wojcik, pastor at Saint Clement Parish in Chicago. Do you struggle to engage Gen Z in your church? Do you want to invite younger generations into ministry, but aren’t sure where to start? Saint Clement is a dynamic Catholic community in the […]
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